EMPIRE DAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 12

EMPIRE DAY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Tho time has again arrived when I trust I may be permitted through your courtesy, to remind your readers of the near approach of “Empire Day,” and to earnestly appeal to them for help in making the observance of tho day universal throughout the Empire. As is already well known, the “Empire Movement” is a non-party, nonsectarian,' non-aggressive, non-racial effort to awaken the peoples who constitute tho British Empire, to tho serious duties which lie at their door. The watchwords of tho movement are, “ Responsibility, Duty, Sympathy and Selfsacrifice.” May these words be en,graven on tho hearts of all British subjects, but especially of tho young, who in a few years’ time will ho responsible for tho righteous governance of the 400 millions of people, who are to bo found within tho confines of the Empiro. Last year, from information received by the sccrotarj-, “Empire Day,” or “ Victoria Day,” as it is called in some parts of tho Empire, was observed in the United Kingdom in 22,026 schools, training colleges, and institutions, with an average attendance of 4,499,458 scholars; whilst in.the overseas dominions it was kept in '37,365 schools, with an estimated attendance of about 4,000,000 scholars, (making a total throughout tho Empiro of 59,391 schools, .training colleges and institutions, with an attendance of 8,499,458 scholars. Allowing for the number of those present at tho various “Empiro Day” celebrations, and of those attending tho services, over 8000 in number, where sermons and addresses emphasising the watchwords of tho movement, were delivered, it may .fairly be assumed that somo seventeen millions of British subjects enmo under tho influence of the movement in 1911. It is confidently belioved that the above figures will be largely increased this year. If for any cause it should bo considered inadvisable to observe “ Empiro Day ” on May 24, there is no reason why it should not bo kept on somo day not far removed) from that date, or on June 22 (tho anniversary of the Coronation of King George V., and of tho Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria). Although the observance of “Empiro Day” should not ho neglected, it is hoped that tho noble ideals of tho movement, represented by its watchwords, will bo constantly kept before tho minds of tho scholars in all British schools throughout the King’s dominions.

"Who will help to train the rising generation in tho duties of Imperial responsibilities? Volunteer workers of independent means, who are willing to labour without remuneration, and at their own expense, in tho promotion of tho Empire movement, aro greatly needed, and are invited to send their names to the Central Office and they will receive printed instructions in regard to the nature of tho assistance! which is requested at their hands. There aro .many schools in poor districts throughout the Empire, which are not provided with flagstaffs and Union Jacks. How can the boys and girls in these schools salutei a non-existent flag ? I hppo all who believe in the healthy, national influence of tho movement, will endeavour to assist somo poor school to obtain a flag and flagstaff, and will, if possible, supplement those gifts by a largo wall map of tho Empiro, such ns tho “Navy League” or “Howard Vincent” maps, and by a portrait of the King. Copies of the “Empiro Catechism,” which should bo learnt by heart by all British children, and of tho soul-stirring songs to bo sung on “Empire Day,” and all information connected with the movement can he obtained from tho Secretary,' 83, Lancaster Gate, London, W.—l am, etc., MEATH. London, March 28, 1912.